lesson kit

canada & the commonwealth

common links : partnership and diversity

TEACHER RESOURCE PACKAGE

LESSON PLANS CANADIAN AND WORLD STUDIES
Written by Jim Spyropoulos & David Montemurro Department of History and Contemporary Studies West Toronto Collegiate Source: The Canadian Almanac Please direct questions or comments to: Jim Spyropoulos; fax 416.393.8172; email commtor@hotmail.com

prepared for the royal commonwealth society of canada, toronto branch

autumn 1999

lessons & steps

canada & the commonwealth

common links : partnership and diversity
INTENDED GRADE LEVEL/ SUBJECT AREA Grade 9 - Applied/Academic Canadian Geography Grade 10 - Applied/Academic 20th Century Canadian History CONCEPTS The Commonwealth of Nations Canada and the Commonwealth Foreign Aid within the Commonwealth family RECOMMENDED TIME FRAME Between two and three 75-minute periods INSTRUCTIONAL OUTCOMES Students will: 1. Define The Commonwealth 2. Locate Commonwealth countries on a map 3. Demonstrate an understanding of the diverse nature of the countries within the Commonwealth family 4. Develop an awareness of the pros and cons of foreign aid 5. Participate in a group activity which develops a greater awareness of the social and economic conditions in a variety of Commonwealth countries

LESSON ONE : INTRODUCTORY READING AND QUESTIONS This lesson serves as an introduction to the Commonwealth, to Canadas involvement in the Commonwealth family and to the pros and cons of foreign aid The reading and accompanying questions are in Worksheet Lesson 1 LESSON TWO : COMMONWEALTH HEADS OF GOVERNMENT MEETING (CHOGM) This lesson is in the form of a jigsaw/group exercise The information for nine (9) Commonwealth countries is attached The activity is ideally designed for five (5) countries, however, the number of countries participating and the number of students per country may vary Teachers may choose countries or allow students to choose

prepared for the royal commonwealth society of canada, toronto branch

autumn 1999

lessons & steps

STEP 1 : HOME COUNTRY GROUPS (20 MINUTES) It is important to have the same number of students in each of these groups Students are placed in home country groups Each student receives a package with information on their own country and Worksheet Lesson 2 The categories on Worksheet Lesson 2 can be defined as follows: 1. TOTAL AREA the amount of land the country covers in square kilometers 2. LIFE EXPECTANCY average age at death 3. GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT/CAPITA the total value of all goods and services produced in one country in one year, per person 4. LITERACY percentage of the population able to perform basic reading and writing skills 5. UNEMPLOYMENT percentage of the population that is willing and able to work but does not have work 6. INFANT MORTALITY number of deaths for every 1000 births STEP 2 : CHOGM (50 MINUTES) During this phase, students leave their home country as Heads of Government and represent their country at the CHOGM (one Head of Government per country in each group) Each Head of Government makes a presentation to the group At the completion of the presentations, each Head of Government should have: labeled each country on their map completed Worksheet Lesson 2 At this time, the teacher explains the terms developed and developing countries CHOGM groups answer questions #1 and #2 of the CHOGM Task STEP 3 : HOME COUNTRY GROUPS (20 MINUTES) Students answer questions 1 and 2 of the Home Countrys Task in groups STEP 4 : HOME COUNTRY GROUPS (20 MINUTES) Home country groups prepare a brief presentation in response to step #3 and submit one written response per group

prepared for the royal commonwealth society of canada, toronto branch

autumn 1999

worksheet lesson 1

THE COMMONWEALTH The Commonwealth is an association of 54 independent member countries. These countries are found in all continents and all oceans. The Commonwealth includes some of the worlds biggest countries and some of its smallest. India for example, has over 900 million people, while Nauru, a small island in the Pacific Ocean has only 8000 inhabitants. Canada is one of the four most developed countries in the Commonwealth. There are 1.7 billion people in the Commonwealth. That is more than one quarter of the population of the whole world. Commonwealth members are some of the worlds most developed countries and some of the poorest. Some of the most developed are Australia, Britain (comprised of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland), Canada and Singapore. Some of the poorest are Mozambique, Sierra Leone and Tanzania. The family of Commonwealth countries work together to build a better world for themselves. They help each other to make their economies stronger, to improve their systems of government and to improve the skills of their people. The Commonwealth is committed to specific ideals which it endorses throughout the family of member countries. These ideals include: Democracy Just and honest government Human rights and justice for all Economic development and war on poverty Peace

Aside from working to achieve these common ideals, Commonwealth countries share the use of a working common language, English. They also have many common traditions, such as law, government and education. The origins of the Commonwealth lie in the British Empire and all members of the Commonwealth family recognize Queen Elizabeth II as Head of the Commonwealth.

CANADAS ROLE IN THE COMMONWEALTH FAMILY As one of the most developed countries in the Commonwealth, Canada plays a very important role. Around the world Canada is seen as a leader in providing its people with the things that really matter in life. Canadas popularity has been reinforced by the financial and technical aid it gives to developing countries. Arguments exist for and against Canada providing foreign aid to developing nations. Some arguments in favour of Canada providing aid are: We live on the same planet and have a responsibility to help those less fortunate than ourselves Most people who receive our aid did not choose to be poor. Their problems are a product of war, climate change, or of destructive governments Foreign aid is like an investment in the future. We cannot expect an immediate return on this investment. However, countries that break out of poverty will be better customers for our trade in the future.

prepared for the royal commonwealth society of canada, toronto branch

autumn 1999

worksheet lesson 1

Some arguments against Canada providing foreign aid are: Canada has enough economic problems of its own. We have unemployed people and a large government debt. We should look after our own first. Canadians have worked hard to develop our country. Along the way there was poverty and struggle. Developing countries have to be more patient. Canada should not be obliged to help out countries which are poorly managed. Those countries should work harder and use their resources more efficiently.

FAMILY OF NATIONS The modern Commonwealth is a family of countries. Canada believes the Commonwealth family is important because of its non-threatening, supportive and responsive attitudes to the members needs. Within the Commonwealth, family members can build bridges and help find answers to difficult questions and conflicts. Every two years the Commonwealth Heads of Government meet at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM). At these meetings, decisions are made by consensus and all voices are equal.

QUESTIONS 1. How many nations and people make up The Commonwealth?

2. Which specific ideals does the Commonwealth endorse throughout its family of countries?

3. Give two advantages and two disadvantages of Canada providing aid to less developed countries. Which side do you support? Why?

4. How is the modern Commonwealth like a family of nations?

prepared for the royal commonwealth society of canada, toronto branch

autumn 1999

worksheet lesson 2

THE COMMONWEALTH FAMILY OF NATIONS

CANADA

BRITAIN

GUYANA

INDIA

JAMAICA

Capital City Total Population Total Area

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KENYA

NAURU

SOUTH AFRICA

SRI LANKA

Capital City Total Population Total Area

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prepared for the royal commonwealth society of canada, toronto branch

autumn 1999